Monrovia — The United States is increasingly concerned about the inroads China and Russia are making in Africa, especially the prospect of China establishing a military base in West Africa. U.S. officials fear such a development could undermine America’s global strategic efforts to protect homeland security.
Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, revealing that the command is scouting locations in West Africa for a new command center, though he could not name specific countries during the public hearing. The United States is determined to outpace China in solidifying its military presence across the Sub‑Saharan region.
During the March 16 hearing, Ranking Member Roger Wicker asked Gen. Langley where China might focus its efforts to build a West African base and how such a base could affect the security of Americans. Langley responded that a Chinese foothold would “change the whole calculus of the strategic global campaign plans of protecting the homeland.” He warned that any Chinese capacity on the West Coast would give Beijing a geo‑strategic advantage, and the United States cannot allow a base there without altering regional dynamics.
Langley emphasized the acute need for a U.S. Africa Command presence in West Africa and expressed concern over China’s attempt to establish a base in Djibouti. He noted that any future Chinese basing project would pose a marginal threat to U.S. interests on the continent, but in the event of armed conflict, Beijing could leverage an expanded military footprint to project power against the United States, its allies, or global commerce. He added that China already uses its economic influence in Africa to shape UN policy and secure access to natural resources such as minerals and fisheries.
Beyond Chinese activity, Langley highlighted the threat from al‑Qaida’s second‑largest and fastest‑growing African affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin (JNIM). The group has been terrorizing American citizens in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso and Mali.
A week after the hearing, Liberian President George Weah visited the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in Virginia at the invitation of U.S. officials. The visit sparked speculation in Liberia, especially among opposition members, who wondered whether the president was being interrogated. The meeting was unusual because it did not involve any senior Biden Administration officials, and a gag order was imposed on its details. According to sources, the CIA conveyed a clear message: America needs stability in Liberia to partner in countering Russian and Chinese influence, particularly the destabilizing activities of the Wagner group in Burkina Faso and Mali.
Although Gen. Langley could not disclose specifics about U.S. or Chinese activities in West Africa during the public hearing, diplomats believe the CIA meeting could revive Liberia’s Cold‑War‑era role as a U.S. communications and intelligence hub in Africa.
Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, has long maintained historic ties with the United States. It shares a unique kinship with America, and hundreds of thousands of Liberians and their families now reside in the U.S., sending over $400 million in remittances each year—a vital boost to Liberia’s struggling economy. Consequently, Liberia’s geo‑strategic position—characterized by porous borders and under‑monitored mining and logging—offers the United States a potential foothold to militarize the region while delivering strategic benefits.
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